Professional Offshore Employment Agencies:

Instead of the above methods some people want to turn this hair pulling job
hunting chore over to someone that does it for a living and has great success
in placing personnel in the offshore / oilfield / maritime industry. Reputable
agencies have a staff of people who work very hard to find you a job.

Yes, you have to pay them, usually 14 day's pay (reasonable payment plans
are available) but it is well worth it because you get instant results or you
pay nothing. If you choose to use a professional agency, here are some tips
that might be of some help to you.

Use a reputable agency, an agency which has been in business for some time opposed to a brand new
one. The
established agency will run smoothly and efficiently. The new agency will be in the
process
of getting the bugs out.

Don't pay any money up front. Do not pay a filling or administrative fee. That's like having to pay a
cover charge to
go into a grocery or department store. Don't pay any money for a drug screen.
When you get
offered a job, you will be required to pass a physical examination which includes a
drug
screen as a condition for employment. The cost of this will be paid for by your employer.

Do not pay any money to see a training or orientation video. Most companies require
their new
employees to watch a video about the company's operation before they turn them
loose on a rig or a
boat. These videos will include general operations, safety guidelines
and fire and abandon ship
procedures. Again, there should be no charge for this.

Do not pay any money for Z-cards, licenses or certifications unless they come from a
bona-fide
training institute that requires you to participate in intensive hands on
training. Watching a video for
15 minutes about an offshore crane lifting pipe and pallets
of chemicals off an offshore supply boat
does not qualify you to be a rigger. Use some common sense here.

Do not use an agency that will hold you liable for their entire fee if you get to the
work site and for
some reason beyond your control the job doesn't work out. An example
would be not being able
to get along with the crew, captain, pusher, etc. The patch has
got some great people in it but it also
has some people that are real jerks and most difficult to work with. On your first trip out you
might
wind up somewhere it is impossible for you to stay. Discuss this in detail with your
agency and understand
the terms and conditions before you sign. Once you sign you are
legally bound. A fair agency will
not hold you responsible for the entire fee if the job
doesn't work out due to conditions beyond
your control. They will make every attempt to
place you somewhere else.

Do not agree to pay any unreasonable amount. The standard rate reputable agencies charge
is 14
days pay. The standard pay back time is one day's pay for each week you work until
your obligation
is completed.